Proverbs 3:25

25. Be not afraid] Dean Plumptre (Speaker’s Comm.) points out that, “under the form of this strong prohibition there is of course an equally strong promise,” so that these two verses add yet another to the advantages to be gained from Wisdom: it confers both strength and beauty (Pro_3:22); it preserves alike in action and in repose (Pro_3:23-24); it is equal to every emergency of life (Pro_3:25-26).

desolation] or, storm, R.V. marg.

of the wicked] This may mean, brought upon thee by the wicked. So Maurer, who compares, “rescue my soul from their destructions.” Psa_35:17; and Vulg. irruentes tibi potentias impiorum. But it is perhaps better to understand it of the desolation or storm which comes upon the wicked. Comp. Psa_91:8.

Pro_3:27-35. There is a marked change of style in these verses, and they are regarded by Maurer (who describes them as singularia aliqua prœcepta) and others as a separate section. The continuous address is exchanged for the concise sentences or “proverbs,” which form the bulk of the Book.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Pro 3:25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

Ver. 25. Be not afraid.] Or, Thou shalt not be afraid. Nec si fractus illabatur orbis. Sudden evils do commonly disspirit people, and expectorate their abilities; they be at their wits’ end. But let a David "walk through the vale of the shadow of death," that is, the darkest side of death - death in its most horrid and hideous representations, he will not fear, no though he should go back again the same way; "for thou art with me," saith he. {Psa 23:4} He had God by the hand, and so long he feared no colours.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Pro_3:25-26

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

For the Lord shall be thy confidence.

Confident attitude of Gods people

When God is abroad in judgments, He would not have His people alarmed. He has not come forth to harm, but to defend the righteous.

I. He would have them manifest courage. We who enjoy the presence of God ought to display presence of mind. Since the Lord Himself may suddenly come, we ought not to be surprised at anything sudden. Serenity under the rush and roar of unexpected evils is a precious gift of Divine love.

II. The Lord would have His chosen display discrimination, so that they may see that the desolation of the wicked is not a real calamity to the universe. Sin alone is evil; the punishment which follows thereupon is as a preserving salt to keep society from putrefying. We should be far more hocked at the sin which deserves hell than at the hell which comes out of sin.

III. So, too, should the Lords people exhibit great quietness of spirit. Satan and his serpent seed are full of all subtilty; but those who walk with God shall not be taken in their deceitful snares. Go on, believe in Jesus, and let the Lord be thy confidence. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For when God destroyeth the wicked, he will save his as he did Lot in Sodom.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Be not--or, "You shall not be."

sudden fear--what causes it (Pro 1:27), any unlooked-for evil (Psa 46:3; Psa 91:12; Pe1 3:14).

desolation-- (Pro 1:27).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(25) Desolation of the wicked.—That is, the storm which overwhelms them.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Be not afraid of sudden fear,.... Of anything terrible that comes unawares, unthought of, by any of the above things mentioned in the preceding note; or by any rumours and reports of danger being near at hand; always think thyself safe in the arms of Wisdom, and under the care of Israel's keeper, who neither slumbers nor sleeps;

neither of the desolation of the wicked when it cometh; either of the desolation which wicked men threaten to bring, and are suffered to bring, upon the godly for the sake of religion; either on their persons or goods, since suffering at their hands in such a cause is to the honour of saints, and for the glory of God; or of the desolation which comes upon the godly, for God is able to deliver him from it, as Noah and his family from the universal deluge, and Lot and his family from Sodom and Gomorrah; or if they promiscuously fall in it, nevertheless it will be well with them to all eternity.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Under the form of this strong prohibition there is an equally strong promise. So safe will all thy ways be that to fear will be a sin.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Be not afraid, i.e. thou shalt not be afraid. For that it is a promise, seems most probable from the context; only it is for greater emphasis delivered in the form of a precept; I allow thee and require thee not to be afraid, which is both thy duty and privilege.

Of sudden fear; for sudden and unexpected evils are most frightful and grievous. And fear is here put for the evils feared, as Pro 1:26,27, and oft elsewhere. The desolation of the wicked; either,

1. Actively, which they bring upon thee. Or, rather

2. Passively, which befalls them, when the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, as it is expressed, Isa 26:21; and thou mayst be apt to fear lest thou shouldst be involved in the common calamity; but fear not, for God will then hide thee in his chambers, as he promised, Isa 26:20.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

25. Be not afraid — The imperative form here is put for a strong indicative. Thou shalt not, or needest not, be afraid of any sudden fear, or object of terror. Desolation of… wicked may mean either the desolation which the wicked produce, or that which befalls them. The latter, or passive sense, is here preferred by most: be not afraid of being involved in the overthrow of the wicked.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Be not afraid; al-tirah, is literally "fear thou not," the future with al preceding being used for the imperative in a dehortative sense, as in Gen 46:3Jo Gen_3:4, Gen_3:6, 7 (see Gesenius, "Gram.," 3, c); Vulgate, ne paveas. Others, however, render, as the LXX, ou fobhyhsh , "Thou shalt not be afraid," in the sense of a promise. The verb yare, from which tirah, is here followed by min, as in Psa_3:7 Psa_27:1, and properly means "to be afraid from or before" some person or thing. Sudden; pithom, an adverb used adjectively. (cf. like use of adverb khinnam in Pro_26:2) Fear (pakhad ); as in Pro_1:16, the object which excites terror or fear, as any great disaster. The desolation of the wicked (shoath r"shaim) may be taken either

(1) as the desolation made by the violence of the wicked, the desolation or strum which they raise against the righteous (so the LXX, Vulgate, Mariana, Michaelis, Hitzig, and others); or

(2) the desolation which overtakes the wicked, the desolating vengeance executed upon them (so Doderlein, Lapide, Stuart, Muensch., Delitzsch, Wardlaw). The latter is probably the right interpretation, and agrees with the threatening language of Wisdom against her despisers, in Pro_1:27, where shdath also occurs. Iu the desolation which shall overwhelm the wicked he who has made Wisdom his guide shall be undismayed, for the Lord is his confidence. The passage was probably suggested by Pro_5:21, "Neither shalt thou be afraid of desolation when it cometh." Lee, in loc. cit., says the places are almost innumerable where this sentiment occurs. Compare the fearlessness of the man of integrity and justice, in Horace"Si fractus illabatur orbis, Impavidum ferient ruinae. (Horace, "Od.," 3:3, 7, 8.) "Let Jove"s dread arm with thunders rend the spheres, Beneath the crush of worlds undaunted he appears. (Francis"s Trans.)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Be not - Thou shalt not be afraid. Sudden - For sudden and unexpected evils are most frightful. And fear is here put for the evils feared. Desolation - Which cometh upon the wicked.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

devastation caused by the wicked, when it comes

This can be stated in active form. AT: "when the wicked cause devastation" (See: Active or Passive)

Yahweh will be on your side

"Yahweh will be by your side." A person standing by another person's side is an idiom that means that the one person will help and support the other. AT: "Yahweh will support and defend you" (See: Idiom)

will keep your foot from being caught in a trap

The writer speaks of a person experiencing harm from "terror" and "devastation" as if the person were caught in a trap. The word "foot" represents the whole person. AT: "will protect you from those who want to harm you" (See: Metaphor and Synecdoche)

translationWords

fear

terror

devastate

evil

Yahweh

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

or of the darkness when it comes upon the wicked.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.